Sept. 25, 2009

NEWARK, N.J. - With three minutes remaining in the first half, Lafayette junior forward Stephanie Bereday gave the Leopard women's soccer squad a 1-0 advantage and it proved to be the game-winner, as the Lafayette defense did the rest en route to a 1-0 victory over NJIT on Friday evening in Newark, N.J.

Bereday took a through ball from sophomore midfielder Dana Moyer in the 43rd minute and found herself one-on-one with NJIT goalkeeper Sadie Mele.

Mele came off her line to challenge the shot, but Bereday roped the shot off Mele's hand and into the back of the net for the game's only goal.

While the Highlanders held a 17-11 advantage in shots, Smedley was only forced to make three saves for her second consecutive shutout.

She has held her opponents scoreless in the last 213 minutes, dating back to the second half of the Marist contest last Sunday.

Lafayette pressured the NJIT defense all evening with several quality chances. Freshman forward Jill Dozier led the Leopards with three shots, including two on goal.

Sophomore Janelle Pierson also found herself around the NJIT goal, notably late in the first half when she stole a Highlander clearing attempt and forced Mele to make a demanding save.

Moyer also registered two shots of her own, as the Leopards attempted 11 on the evening, eight of which were shots on goal.

Lafayette improved to 3-6-1, while NJIT falls to 3-4-1 on the season.

The Leopards will take Saturday to prepare for a Sunday afternoon contest at Wagner. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. in Staten Island, N.Y.